Creativity is one of those ideas that brings about a different range of emotions for different people. For some, creativity feels elusive…just out of reach and difficult to experience. For others, creativity is something encouraged and expressed on a regular basis. I had a chance to read Austin Kleon‘s Steal Like and Artist recently and enjoyed his take on adding and experiencing more creativity in our lives.

What I enjoyed about Kleon’s book is the premise that all ideas are not original. Whenever we feel pressure to come up with something, we need to realize that very few ideas are ever truly original. According to Kleon, “what a good artist understands is that nothing comes from nowhere. All creative work builds on what came before. Nothing is completely original.”

Knowing this can be liberating for artists, thinkers and the average person looking to create “the next big thing” or a better something.

Here are three ideas from the book that I enjoyed…

Start Copying

Kleon argues that successful people and artists are not necessarily original. They had influences that shaped their work. This includes everyone from the Beatles to artists like Salvador Dali and athletes like Kobe Bryant and more. He invites readers to copy others’ and perform a sort of “reverse-engineering” which is like a “mechanic taking apart a car to see how it works.”

Important to note that copying does not mean plagiarizing. It means allowing yourself to be influenced by others’ creative work. I know I have been influenced and inspired by countless musicians, writers, artists, photographers and chefs (especially my mother). How does this influence my work? I’m not sure…but the sum of these influences is me. And my influences and body of work continue to evolve.

Step Away From the Screen

“We don’t know where we get our ideas from. What we do know is that we do not get them from our laptops.” – John Cleese

Kleon argues that, in order to become more creative, we need to step away from our computer. He believes that we need more movement in our lives…whether it be strumming a guitar, playing with clay or physically shifting papers. He believes in analog first, then digital. This movement allows us to gain a different perspective and make different connections in our mind.

Kleon also goes on to explain how he has two workstations…one analog for pens, markers, paper, sticky notes and one digital for his computer and other electronic gadgets. He keeps them separate and the analog workstation is where he generates most of his ideas and the digital workstation is where he edits these ideas.

Choose What to Leave Out

In the information-loaded world we live in, Kleon believes that it is more important than ever that we create some constraints and leave certain information out of our minds and our work. Too much information and too many influences may paralyze and overload us.

I like his quote…”In the end, creativity isn’t just the things we put in, it’s the things we choose to leave out.”

Steal Like an Artist is a quick, fun read broken down into bit-sized nuggets of wisdom. Filled with drawings, quotes and reverse type, it invites us to think of creativity a little differently. If you’re in need of a creative tune up or looking to try something a little different in any aspect of your life, pick up this book.

How about you…do you have any ideas that have helped you become a more interesting, effective person? Please share…I’d love to hear from you.

So you made the decision to finally join Toastmasters. That’s an important first step. But what’s next? What are you going to speak about and what’s the best way to write a speech? These are just some questions new Toastmasters have when joining a club. I hope to answer some questions and provide tips for newer members.

What am I going to speak about?

This is a question I hear quite often. The simple answer: anything you want. I would highly recommend that you speak about anything you feel passionate about (things, ideas, causes, etc.) or anything interesting you encounter in your daily life. Is there an interesting person you see on your way to work everyday? Do you have an unusual hobby? Any of this would make a fun and interesting speech.

There is a woman at my club who has taught art for a number of years. She often speaks about different aspects of art and has exhibited a lot of her work. Her passion for art is noticeable and contagious. Whether it is intentional or not, she has inspired a lot of our club members to have a greater appreciation for art. Think about what sorts of memories and emotions you want to leave behind through your speeches.

If you’re still having trouble thinking of ideas about what to speak about, try mind-mapping. The process of getting your ideas onto paper and connecting different words and ideas is helpful

If you’re still having trouble coming up with ideas, take a shower. I can’t explain it, but taking a shower has always helped me come up with ideas for writing and speaking. I know I’m not the only one. Give it a try.

While it can be liberating to be able to speak about anything you want…it can sometimes feel overwhelming. One important tip: don’t wait until the last minute to come up with ideas. Let the ideas simmer in your mind.

What’s the best way to write a speech?

“Begin with the end in mind” – Stephen Covey

Just as there are different styles of learning (visual, auditory and kinesthetic), there are different ways to write a speech. I don’t believe there is any one right way to write a speech. I’ve heard of people writing their speeches out word for word. If this works for you, great. I prefer to create my speeches using a stream of consciousness method. One thing that is probably unanimous…you should begin your speechwriting process with an outline.

Remember to include the key parts of your speech: the opening, middle and conclusion. Keep in mind that the opening of your speech is the most important part. It grabs the attention of your audience and draws them in. Don’t start your speech with an opening that begins with, “today I’m going to talk about….” This is an opening line that’s boring and forgettable. It also states the obvious.

However, say you were giving a speech about the quality of the drinking water in your town. You might begin your speech with a question: “Did you know that the water you drink could be making you sick?” An opening line like that would get the audience’s attention quickly.

The conclusion of your speech is almost as important as the opening. A good ending will help make your topic and your ideas more memorable.

Once I have written a memorable opening line, an organized body and a memorable conclusion created in my outline, I begin to verbalize my speech. I’ll also pull out my stopwatch or iPhone and begin to get a sense on how much time I have used. At this point in the process, my speech is typically a minute or two over time and I will have to cut some content. I usually do this in the practice phase of the speech. This leads to another big question…

What is the best way to practice my speech?

“The unprepared speaker has a right to be afraid” – Ralph Smedley, founder of Toastmasters

Again, there probably is no one right way to practice. The important thing is that you do practice. Ideally, you’ll practice a lot. If there’s one piece of advice I’d give you if you’re serious about becoming a good speaker, it would be that you need to put in the time to practice. Upon joining Toastmasters, we are told that, “you get out of Toastmasters what you put in.” I believe this is where practice is encouraged.

At this point in time you’ve come up with a good idea for a speech and you’ve got an outline written out and know basically what you want to say. Now it’s time to find a quiet, private place at home where you can begin begin to practice. This means you might have to clear things with your family, significant other or roommate to reserve a quiet place.

Then you’ll want to practice your speech out loud and possibly in front of a mirror. The mirror will help you get a sense of what your facial expressions and gestures look like as you recite your speech. Again, you might want to grab your iPhone or stopwatch and begin to get a sense of whether you can fit your speech in the allotted time. This is the point in the process where I begin to trim my speech. As speechwriters, we need to feel comfortable with trimming our speeches and cutting out content that is not important. Just as Twitter forces us to get to the point by giving us 140 characters, Toastmasters forces us to do the same with our speeches. Most of the speeches are between 5 and 7 minutes. While that might sound like a lot of time, it can get challenging to finish a speech within that time.

When I first joined my club, there was a former actor who delivered the most impressive speeches. No matter what he spoke about, he delivered his speeches with confidence and clarity. He owned the room. He had me mesmerized. Soon after, he shared one of the secrets to his success…he practiced…a lot. He said he would practice each speech out loud 20 or 30 times. While most of us probably thought that he really didn’t need to practice that much, I began to realize that’s exactly why he was so good.

From that point on, I dedicated myself to being fully prepared for every speech I delivered. By practicing more, I began to rely on my notes less. This was a liberating feeling and my confidence grew.

With an interesting topic and a well-written and prepared speech, your confidence can (and will) grow, too. In a short period of time you will go from a Toastmaster newbie to a confident, compelling speaker. I promise.

How about you…what are your biggest challenges as a new speaker and a newer member of Toastmasters? How do you overcome these?

If you’re like me, you enjoy cooking with your Crock-Pot. No matter what you put into this magical cooking device, everything tastes good. Perhaps it has something to do with the slow process of cooking the food slowly and allowing it to simmer and the spices to co-mingle.

In recent weeks, I have taken on an additional load of freelance copywriting work. I feel grateful for this, but there are times when the blank page feels daunting. There are also moments when reading my own writing becomes tricky. Spend too much time writing (and reading what you’ve written) and you can quickly lose perspective. The ability to detect the quality of your own writing gets blurred.

One solution to this situation is to let your writing simmer. Lately, I have decided, after completing a piece of writing, to get away. Perhaps this means taking a walk, grabbing something to eat or even getting a good night’s sleep. I find that when I return, I can finish the all-important last 20 percent of the job. This last bit includes some last-minute edits…and from firsthand experience, this is the work that makes the writing sparkle.

Whether you’re a blogger, copywriter or a student writing an essay…do yourself a favor and don’t wait until the last possible moment to complete your written assignment. Get it done early and let it simmer so you can take the time to edit your work. I’m confident your writing will take a huge leap in quality…and your readers will love you.

How about you…have you taken a different approach to become a better writer? If so, what was it?

In case you’ve been away from your computer and Twitter feed lately, you’re probably aware that the 2013 South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive festival has begun in Austin, TX. SXSW has grown from 700 registrants in 1987 to over 12,000 registrants in 2012. Again this year, I won’t be able to attend SXSW. I am counting on my connections, friends and fellow bloggers to keep me updated on the latest and greatest in tech trends and new ideas.

For those of us not attending SXSW this year, there are alternatives that might give you a taste of what it might be like to attend SXSW. Chances are the city you live in has a Social Media Club. If so, do yourself a favor and attend the next event. It is a great way to connect with fellow tech lovers and learn from guest speakers in a wide range of industries.

You might also want to make it to an Ignite or Pecha Kucha event in your area. Both of these events involve timed slide presentations about various topics. Ignite presentations are comprised of 20 slides that advance every 15 seconds. I love their motto “Enlighten us, but make it quick.” Pecha Kucha is a timed event that is comprised of 20 slides that advance every 20 seconds. With events in more than 500 cities around the world, Pecha Kucha tends to focus on design and architecture, but can include just about any topic under the sun. I’ve been to several of these events in Chicago and have never regretted going.

As an additional alternative to SXSW, I might also direct you to tech and social media blogs such as Mashable, TechCrunch, Social Media Examiner and Social Media Explorer. There will no doubt be reports and updates about the latest trends and newest tools from bloggers who will be attending SXSW…one worth checking out is Aaron Burcell’s Learnist page.

But let’s face it, nothing can replace the experience of attending an event like SXSW in person. While most of us can probably get a taste of the SXSW from updates on blogs and social media, nothing can replace the most social of social media tools…face-to-face communication. I have attended and worked enough conferences and conventions to understand this. I have seen and experienced how a hug from a friend who lives thousands of miles away trumps a “like” from this same friend on Facebook any day.

And what about the home of SXSW, Austin, TX? Could a festival as interesting and entertaining exist in any other city as besides the “weirdness” of Austin? A trip to Austin, I’m certain, is a fun, memorable experience.

As humans, we need this..crave this sort of community. It’s why Deadheads went on the road to follow their band back in the 60s, 70s and 80’s and why festivals like Lollapalooza can charge festival-goers well over $200 for a three day pass to feel incredibly entertained, yet very uncomfortable.

If you’re one of the people like me who cannot make it to SXSW this year…get out there and attend a tech event near you…ask questions…meet people…and get social.

How about you…have you attended SXSW? If so, what’s your favorite part of the festival? What are some other great festivals you’ve attended?

When you think about it, just about anything can be considered poetry: language, motion, music, performance, etc. I recently stumbled upon this video entitled “Stunt Poetry,” which features Dante Ha, a professional stunt man who has been featured in one of the “Dark Knight” movies among others. Directed by Rishi Kenaria, it is an amazing example of poetry in motion…both by performer and editor. It’s a shining example of two people on top of their game.

Last month, a Fast Companyarticle on customer service grabbed my attention. According to the Forrester Research customer research index, only three percent of brands were ranked as “excellent” when it comes to serving customers. Brands like Nordstrom and Zappos are synonymous with great customer experiences, but what about the others?

A few weeks ago, I did something most of us dread: I took my car to the shop (Midas). I had been having some issues with my exhaust and was tired of hearing my car erupt every time I pressed the gas. I could no longer mask my car’s loud noise by blasting the car stereo. I had been putting my visit off for a while, but now it was time.

Upon arriving, I was greeted by the store manager and I explained the issue with him. I sensed the shop was beginning to get busy and was told that they would take a look within the half hour. During this time, I had a chance to talk to the manager while I was sitting in the waiting area. It was a good conversation because I had a chance to understand the complexities of repairing the exhaust system and how they charge for these repairs. The manager showed me a diagram and his explanation began to make more sense to me. I was beginning to understand that the cost of my repair would depend on the location of the problem. We also talked about cars in general and he told me about some of the cars he worked on in his spare time.

Minutes later, I was told that a small connector pipe was rusted out and need to be repaired. The manager described in detail how this connector pipe works and how they would fix it. He said he needed to order a part and that my car would be ready in a couple hours. Fortunately, the repair would cost just under $100. I walked to a nearby coffee shop and got some work done. When my car was ready, they gave me a call to pick it up.

I left the shop happy that my repair was held to under $100. But I also felt good about my overall customer service and I attribute this to several things:

Built trust through good communication skills and rapport:

The store manager had a very service-oriented approach and took the time and had the patience to explain everything in great detail. I could tell he wanted to make sure he answered my questions and that I understood everything. Had my repair bill been higher, I have a strong feeling he’d explain to me the costs involved in the repair. A more expensive repair would not have made me happy, but understanding these costs would at least make me feel more informed.

Helped me manage my time

In the early part of our conversation, the store manager laid out a plan for action, which helped me stay productive. Truthfully, I wanted to grab a coffee at a nearby coffee shop while my repairs were being made. But I also wanted to be there when a diagnosis was made…this would allow me to see the damage and better understand the situation. After a diagnosis was made about 30 minutes into my visit, I headed over to get some coffee and get work done while they were working on my car.

Quick Service

Considering I was not one of the first customers to bring my car into the shop, I felt like my service was fairly quick. By the time the store manager told me they needed to order the part…he had already ordered it online.

About a week later, I mentioned my positive experience to a friend. The following week, I found out she took her car into that same shop and had a good experience. She, too, liked the manager and found her experience to be positive. It made me realize, once again, the importance of word of mouth to a business…and that good customer service is no accident. There’s no doubt in my mind the Midas manager was trained to provide great service…he mentioned this somewhere in our conversation.

As customers, we’re usually hyper-aware of our own experiences when we’re shopping or on the phone. But how about other moments? At a time when we create our personal brand every day with every action we take, it might be worth it to explore how we serve our own clients, friends and colleagues.

How about you…do you own or work in a service-oriented business? How do you provide great customer service to your clients or customers? What’s your secret? What are some of your favorite customer service experiences?